Soap container



Jan. 21, 1947.

E. K. BLUDWORTH 2,414,711

SOAP CONTAINER Filed Oct. a, 1945 2 Shets-Sheet '1 /6 Inventor PatentedJan. 21, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

lihe present invention relates to soap containers of a sectional boxtype, the box being adapted to contain a conventional bar of soap, andthere being a tray for the soap on the interior of the box, the traybeing swung automatically to elevated position when the lid of the boxis lifted, and the purpose of the instant invention is to structurally,functionally, and otherwise improve upon known types of containers inthis same category.

Generally speaking, the present invention is in the form of a box orcontainer constructed in a manner to facilitate the removal of the soaptherefrom, provision being made to prevent sticking or adhering of thesoap to any part of the box, or, in the event of any such tendency tostick or adhere to the box, and, secondly, the soap willbe loosenedincidental to the opening of the box for bodily removing the soaptherefrom. V

More specifically, the invention pertains to a box-like container havinga lid hinged to one longitudinal side thereof adapted to be opened andclosed in a customary fashion, there being a raised platform in thebottom of the container proportionately smaller than said container andcentered therein in relation to the upstanding marginal rim, this forsupporting a bar of soap. A tray is arranged in the container and thetray is larger than the platform and provided with an apertured bottomwhich fits around the platform, said platform then serving as a falsebottom and also to support the bar of soap, whereby removal of the trayout of the container, which is accomplished automatically with theopening of the lid, said bar of soap, remaining in said tray, will belifted to an elevated usable position.

Added novelty resides in the provision of connecting links between theends of the tray and the ends of said raised platform, the lid havingactuating arms or members rigidly connected to its rim portion and saidmembers having operating connections with adjacent portions of saidtray.

The invention, together with its objects and advantages, will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a soap box embodying the features ofthe present invention, the same being shown in fully closed position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the soap box in fully open position.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the soap box in fully openposition.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the soap box in fullyopen position, this on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the soap box in fullyclosed position, this on the approximate line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, it will be seen that the box,which may be made from sheet metal or any other suitable material,embodies a box or container, part 5 having hinged thereto, as at 6, acover or lid 1.

In accordance with the present invention, the box 5 is provided in thebottom thereof, and spaced from the peripheral walls of the box, araised formation or platform 8 that serves as a false bottom for a tray9.

The tray 9 is provided, at the bottom or underside thereof, withapertured lugs ID in which are journaled the pintle ends ll of links orarms l2 that also have pintle ends l3 journaled in apertures providedtherefor in the flange Ba of the platform-or support 8 at opposite endsof the latter.

The rim of the tray 9, at opposite ends thereof, is provided withsuitable openings M in which are loosely engaged the angular orhook-like ends I5 of rigid arms 15 that at one end are welded orotherwise permanently secured interiorly of the lid 1 to the flange ofthe lid 1 at opposite ends of said lid as shown.

Preferably the lugs l0 are formed by being struck out from the bottom ofthe tray 9 as best shown in Figure 2, and the lid 1 is arranged to closedown onto a peripheral enlargement or shoulder I! of the box orcontainer part 5 in a well-known manner.

Any suitable form of fastening means may be resorted to for retainingthe lid or closure 1 in closed position.

The bottom 18 of the tray 9 is provided with an opening 19 that isslightly larger than the over-all dimensions of the raised formation orplatform 8 so as to accommodate said raised formation or platform 8 whenthe box is closed and the tray 9 is thereby positioned within thecontainer 5 as shown to advantage in Figure 5.

With the parts as shown in Figure 5, the platform or raised formation 8serves as a continuation of the bottom l8 of tray 9 and cooperatestherewith in supporting the soap within the tray.

As is apparent, the tray 9 moves when the lid 1 is moved. Consequently,when the lid 1 is moved to open position, the tray 9 moves upwardly anddescription.

It will also be understood that while I have I herein stated the box tobe particularly designed for carrying soap, it is apparent that it mayalso be used for holding other articles.

Accordingly, while I have herein illustrated and described what isconsidered the preferredv embodiment of the invention, I am well awarethat in practical fields of use minor changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

This application for Letters Patent is based on an application forcorresponding subject matter heretofore identified as Serial No. 406,544and. filed August 12, 1941, and allowed September 23, 1942. Saidapplication became duly forfeited and then abandoned for want of properaction.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A box for soap, or the like, comprising a container, a lid for saidcontainer hinged to one side thereof for opening and closing movement, araised platform in the bottom of the container relatively smaller thansaid container and centered therein for supporting a bar of soap, a trayfitting in said container, said tray being larger than said platform andprovided with an apertured bottom fitting around said platform andforming a soap bar supporting extension thereof, whereby removal of thetray out of the container will cause the same to lift said bar off saidplatform, and means to move said tray upwardly out of said containerunder opening movement of said lid.

2. A box for soap, or the like, comprising a container, a lid for saidcontainer hinged to one side thereof for opening and closing movement, araised platform in the bottom of the container relatively smaller thansaid container and centered therein for supporting a bar of soap, a trayof said container unler opening movement of said lid, said meanscomprising a pair of arms fixed at corresponding ends thereof to saidlid and pivotally connected at the other ends thereof to opposite sidesof said tray, respectively.

3. A box for soap or the like comprising a con-\ tainer, a lid for saidcontainer hinged to one side of the latter for opening and closingmovements a raised platform in the bottom of the container-l relativelysmaller than said container and centered therein for supporting a bar ofsoap, a tray fitting in said container, said tray being larger than saidplatform and provided with an aper- .-tured bottom fitting around theperimeter portionof said platform, said tray being adapted toaccommodate the soap bar and said platform constituting a false bottomwhen the tray is in its lowermost position, rigid arms connected to andprojecting beyond the rim portions of said lid, the free ends of saidarms being formed into hooklike terminals, there being openings formedin the opposite end portions of the rim of said tray, said fitting insaid container, said tray being larger.

than said platform and provided with an aper-' tured bottom fittinaround said platform and forming a soap bar supporting extensionthereof, whereby removal of the tray out of the container will cause thesame to lift said bar off said platform, and means .to move said trayupwardly out hook-like terminals fitting into said openings, whereby,when the lid is swung open, the. tray is lifted up and away from saidplatform and assembling and retaining means connecting the tray withsaid platform.

4. A box for soap or the like comprising a 10011- tainer, a lid for saidcontainer hinged to one side thereof for opening and closing movements,a raised platform in the bottom of the container relatively smaller thansaid container and centered therein for supporting a bar of soap, a trayfitting in said container, said tray being larger than said platform andprovided with an apertured bottom fitting around the perimeter portionof said platform, said tray being adapted to accommodate the soap barand said platform constituting a false bottom when the tray is in itslowermost position, rigid arms connected to and projecting beyond therim portions of said lid, the free ends of said arms being formed intohooklike terminals, and openings formed in the opposite end portions ofthe rim of said tray, said hook-like terminals fitting into saidopenings, whereby,.when the lid is swung open, the tray is lifted up andaway from said platform, together with links, said links being connectedat corresponding ends to the end portions of said raised platform, theopposite end of said links being hingedly connected with adjacentportions on the bottom of said tray.

ERSKINE K. BLUDWORTH.

